Evidence-Based Chiropractors: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

One of our greatest professional assets is the opportunity to spend quality time with our patients. Our ability to actively listen to a patient’s problem and accurately diagnose their condition is also our primary new patient generator. Yes, long-term practice success is a side effect of clinical excellence. (As a bonus, those new patients don’t require a multi-level marketing system or booth at your local community health fair.)

A basic history and exam allow us to determine WHAT tissue was injured, and possibly WHY that tissue was predisposed to injury. But we will be only able to determine HOW an injury occurred by carefully listening to our patients. Complete resolution of symptoms requires an understanding of the HOW, WHAT, and WHY.

Recently, Foroughi et al. (1) published a paper on alleviating Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) with rehab that includes postural control strategies. But even randomized control studies have limitations; and this paper highlights a futile error. Using this paper as an illustration, we will discuss the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly aspects of evidence-based care.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”

– Mark Twain

The GOOD:

Peer-reviewed research is necessary for evidence-based practice. This Foroughi paper is well-written and provides valuable insight into rehab for anterior knee pain. The author defines PFPS by what sometimes is referred to as the “WHAT”- or ICD-10 code. To be reimbursed by insurers, we need to know how to recognize the involved anatomical tissue.

The authors also go one step further to understand the “WHY” by suggesting that the “lumbopelvic-hip complex” may play a role in PFPS. We know that hip abductor weakness is common in patients with PFPS. Accordingly, the authors expand on traditional rehab with the inclusion of appropriate postural training. (2-8)

“Training on an unstable seat apparatus, which eliminates the influence of lower body movements on balance control, may have potential benefits for enhancing core muscle neuromotor control. The dynamic challenges of unstable sitting balance require a combined feedforward-feedback strategy in the trunk musculature to maintain spinal stability and postural equilibrium. Under such conditions, a strategy of spine stiffening through pre-activated, low-level muscle coactivation along with continuous trunk muscle adjustments in response to unstable sitting perturbations are needed to maintain trunk postural control.” (1)

Defining “WHY” means determining the causative factors behind a specific diagnosis—core instability, hip abductor weakness, scapular dyskinesis, etc. The ability to recognize the “WHY” is a skill that separates great clinicians from their mediocre peers.

The BAD:

This paper, sometimes mirroring our busy daily practice, forgets to ask HOW an injury happens. Most clinicians stop diagnosing after determining the WHAT and the WHY and begin treatment. The HOW is the etiology behind the WHAT and the WHY. The article by Foroughi did not consider the mechanism of injury within the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Individuals damage tissue in many ways including posture, repetitive stress, developmental abnormalities, and trauma. PFPS is usually the result of repetitive activity such as running or jumping. While muscle strengthening and postural control are essential treatment components, there is no mention of why PFPS injuries happen in the first place. If the injuries are from running, then a gait analysis must be performed to address for dysfunctional movement patterns. If the patient is a weightlifter with poor squatting technique, then strengthening in isolation will provide lasting relief for PFPS.

Asking the right questions and listening during the initial visit will shed light on the mechanism of injury and complicating factors. For example, chronic reoccurring diagnoses are different than acute onset injuries. (To learn more, check out this related past blog on differences in treating tendinitis vs. tendinopathy) Short-term alleviation of symptoms is easy once you have the correct diagnosis. Long-term resolution of a diagnosis takes listening to why a tissue failed in the first place.

“Listening is about being present—not just being quiet.”

– Krista Tippett

The Ugly:

Chiropractors suffer from the public perception of continued lifetime care. While there is a benefit to lifetime care, it should not be from a single nagging diagnosis. Our goal in practice must be to provide a solution to a problem that patients want to buy, not one that you need to sell. Transitioning patients into practice “promoters” comes from delivering greater value than expected. You can’t get better at selling a product people don’t want to buy.

I propose that all chiropractors seek to understand the HOW, WHAT, and WHY before determining how you will treat them. Only once all three questions are answered will you have a chance of exceeding patient expectations. Without knowing the etiology, it is impossible to understand the specific ADL advice, rehab exercises, postural re-education, or self-treatment needed to ensure long term success.

The one marketing system that is not for sale: Attention to detail!

By now, we’re hopefully all on the same page: listening is key. Part 2 is providing the best possible treatment for each unique patient…& that’s where ChiroUp has you covered! ChiroUp gives you access to clinical resources that help you most effectively evaluate, treat, and empower every patient, every time—and if that’s not cool enough, it’s automated in a way that will save you countless hours each week.

Investing in ChiroUp means less tedious research, no more building your own treatment plans that aren’t track-able, and no more wasted hours re-explaining exercises & ADLs, because ChiroUp does it for you.

If that sounds up your alley, visit www.ChiroUp.com to learn more OR email us at info@chiroup.com with specific questions about our program.

About the Author

Dr. Brandon Steele

DC, DACO

Dr. Steele began his career at The Central Institute for Human Performance. Dr. Steele has trained with experts including Pavel Kolar, Stuart McGill, Brett Winchester, and Clayton Skaggs. He has been certified in Motion Palpation, DNS, ART, and McKenzie Therapy. Dr. Steele lectures extensively on clinical excellence and evidence-based musculoskeletal management. He currently practices in Swansea, IL and serves on the executive board of the ICS.